And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: So the ...

Every day brings a ship, Every ship brings a word; Well for those who have no fear, Looking seaward well assured That the word the vessel brings Is the word they wish to hear.

Heav'n first taught letters for some wretch's aid, Some banish'd lover, or some captive maid.

Line after line my gushing eye o'erflow, Led thro' a said variety of woe: Now warm in love, now with'ring in my bloom, Lost in a convent's solitary gloom!

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

Soon as thy letters trembling I unclose, That well-known name awakens all my woes.

The welcome news is in the letter found; The carrier's not commission'd to expound; It speaks itself, and what it does contain, In all things needful to be known is plain.